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Performance

Apollo 16 Performance

How the Apollo 16 performs on the water — racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort.

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The Apollo 16 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

4.9 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement
46.1
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
56
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
3.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
3.54
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
4.9kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.

Motion & Offshore Suitability

Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.

Comfort Ratio
3.1
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
3.54
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Apollo 16 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Neptune 16 336s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail 6 kts TWS 10 kts TWS 15 kts TWS 20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50° 2.3 2.9 3.3 3.4
Close Reach60° 2.8 3.5 3.9 4.1
Beam Reach90° 3.4 4.3 4.8 5.2
Broad Reach120–135° 3.2 4.0 4.5 4.8
Run150–180° 2.5 3.2 3.6 3.7
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (4.9 kts), SA/D (46.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Apollo 16 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts 5–16 kts 16–24 kts 24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Apollo 16.

Apollo 16 Balboa 16 Bombardier Invitation Neptune 16 Wayfarer Windmill
Dimensions
LOA 15.8 16.0 15.6 15.8 15.8 15.5
LWL — 14.7 14.0 13.5 14.8 14.5
Beam 5.9 7.5 5.0 6.2 6.1 4.8
Displacement 300 1 181 900 372 198
Ballast — 400 — 200 — —
Sail Area 129 117 90 115 141 119
Performance
PHRF — — — 336 — —
SA/Disp 46.1 18.8 45.0 19.8 43.7 56.1
Bal/Disp — 40.0 — — — —
Comfort 3.1 7.0 2.3 8.7 3.4 2.6
Capsize 3.54 3.00 3.54 2.56 3.38 3.26
Hull Speed 4.9 5.1 5.0 4.9 5.2 5.1